Pakistani channel to air Sur Kshetra

By Hindustan Times

Pakistan’s leading network Geo TV will air musical reality show Sur Kshetra simultaneously with Indian Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) Sahara One and Colors. This is the first time that a channel in Pakistan will air a show together with Indian channels.

The reality show, produced by Gajjendra Singh, showcases talent from India and Pakistan.

A week ago, the deal between the Indian rival channels was sealed and announced. Initially, there were suggestions that the show would air on the Star network. However, that didn’t work out.

For the first time, an Indian reality show auditioned for talent in three cities in Pakistan — Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, shortlisting 10 contestants. They will compete against 10 singers scouted from Indian cities like Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. The show is likely to go on air sometime in September-October this year.

Sur Kshetra features singer-actor-composer Himesh Reshammiya as the captain of the Indian side and Pakistani pop star Atif Aslam as the captain of the Pakistani team. Singers Asha Bhosle and Abida Parveen will be part of the judging panel, along with veterans like Ghulam Ali, who will judge one of the episodes. Actor Ayesha Takia Azmi, who vanished from the public eye after Wanted (2008), resurfaces as the show’s host.

The show was shot in Dubai to avoid complications between nations that have always been somewhat antagonistic to each other. According to sources, the finale is the only episode left to be shot. Apparently, it will be filmed in London after the show goes on air.

Boney Kapoor, who was instrumental in getting the show together for Sahara One, says, “There is a deal in place with Geo TV to air the show in Pakistan. We haven’t finalised a date, but it will be aired in India and Pakistan.”